Amsterdam > Amsterdam Experience

Advantages: small city, lots to see and do, easy to get round
Disadvantages: drugs & sex widely available - some may see this as an advantage!

...last minute to go to Amsterdam for the weekend. I had heard lots of stories, especially surrounding the Red Light District & smoking cannabis, although had also heard that Amsterdam was much more than this and it should not be judged on rumours. Yeah right! So with a semi open mind the six of us flew out from Manchester on the evening of 19 October. ***Booking*** Whilst I was not involved with the booking everything was booked online (I am not going ...
...friends! You can fly to Amsterdam from almost every main UK airport. After a very eventful check in at Manchester, eventful because they had overbooked the flights and too many people had turned up but we somehow wangled our way onto the flight and we arrived at Schiphol Airport after an hours flight. We were very quickly through immigration and collected our bags. We had decided to get the train into the City as our hotel was located close to Central ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap public transport, world renowned culture, very friendly city
Disadvantages: Some dodgy areas, reckless cyclists!

...days in March camping in Amsterdam this year, and it was fabulous. We travelled by Stenaline, from Harwich to the Hook of Holland, and it cost a total of £209 for 4 people and a car to travel both ways - a bargain. We booked it directly on the internet. The crossing was smooth, the Ferry was really comfortable, and the journey time was around 5 hours - getting us into Holland at around 4pm local time. We drove from the Hook of Holland to Amsterdam, ...
...plain sailing to drive to Amsterdam itself, taking less than an hour to reach our campsite on the outskirts of the city. We stayed at Camping Zeeburg, and we couldn't fault it. If you are considering camping in Amsterdam, we would recommend this campsite. Set on the edge of the river, the campsite is roomy and very attractive. Even in March it was quite popular with a few other tents with ours, and caravans and campervans also welcome. You can't ... Read review

Advantages: One of the best citys for transport
Disadvantages: None

...Centraal Station is the hub of it all, where tram, bus, train and metro lines converge. Trams are good for the inner city, buses go farther out, while the train is most useful for getting to the airport and the metro is best for getting to the international bus station. ... Read review

Advantages: Compact, typical city features
Disadvantages: None

I was pleasantly surprised by Amsterdam in the sense that I wasn't expecting this small city to be half as enjoyable as I actually found it! In brief, I thought the shopping was very good for a small city, at reasonable prices. There were also plenty of places to eat, as well as the trusty fast food places we know and love over here (just in case you lose the nerve to try some local cuisine). The red light district is well worth a visit, more for ...
...of the night' in the shop windows, and for a look at the scary looking contraptions in the shops themselves! It's definately hard not to giggle down this area. Also, be careful not to be hit by a bike anywhere in the city, as the designated cycle paths are everywhere, and as tourists aren't exactly the most culture sensitive people in the world (!), it would be quite easy to be hit by one, as they cycle rather fast and expect you to move, which is ... Read review

Advantages: The opportunity to be liberal and non oppressed
Disadvantages: can be a bit spooky late at night!!!

I love amsterdam in england we are all told what do do and how to be well not here! of course you can go to any of the cities coffee shops where in most commercial ones you will be welcomed with a smile and menu to pick whichever weed or hash required! try to avoid the back alley shops you may feel unwelcome (or paraniod) which is not great. headshops are fantastic here you can dabble with natures highs but do this with extreme care and research ...
...to you collapsing in the street! and anything that affects your judgement can result in being all too egally mowed down by any form of traffic. watch the motor bikes they dont have to stop at the lights and they are on the paths! on top off all this you have the red light district and sex shops which in my expereience are a great giggle watch out for the pist pist men as i call them hanging around in groups peddling illegal sumtimes fake drugs on ... Read review